By Raquel Cavalcanti, Trove Librarian.

National Poetry Month was established by the Academy of American Poets in April 1996. In order to celebrate National Poetry Month, I would like to highlight the diverse poetry collections available on Libby and Hoopla for kids with a three-part series showcasing six great titles. What are Libby and Hoopla? Libby and Hoopla are both easy-to-use apps that allow you to borrow eBooks and audiobooks with your library card for free. Both apps have thousands of adult, teen, and children’s titles that you can borrow using your iPad, tablet, or phone by downloading the apps from your app store. Hoopla also has digital film and music materials available for free for library card holders.

In this series, I would like to add links to poetry events and programming that would be of interest to kids and their parents also. Every April, the Academy of American Poets hosts a variety of programs and events to celebrate poets and their poetry. As part of their programming for National Poetry Month the Academy of American Poets presents Dear Poet which is “a multimedia education project that invites young people in grades five through twelve to write letters in response to poems written and read by award-winning poets.” Here is a link to find out more and to participate.

Here are the first two titles in this three-part series – enjoy!

Our Food: A Healthy Serving of Science and Poems
By Grace Lin, Ranida T. McKneally & Grace Zong
eBook on OverDrive Libby

Award-winning writer Grace Lin writes cheerful haiku poems and science writer Ranida T. McNeally answers science questions like, “Why are so many vegetables green?” Grace Zong’s illustrations are bright, colorful and very appealing. This collection works well for younger children as well as early elementary school-aged kids.

Yes! We Are Latinos: Poems and Prose About the Latino Experience
By Alma Flor Ada, F. Elizabeth Campoy & David Diaz
eBook on OverDrive Libby
eBook on Hoopla

Thirteen fictional young Latinos and Latinas are introduced to the reader in the form of free verse poems. The poems introduce the diversity and beauty of the Latin American experience in the United States. Following each poem is an insightful nonfiction look into key important Latino American historical events that complement and further enrich the understanding of the lives of the fictional characters portrayed in the poems. David Diaz’s silhouette-like illustrations are bold. This collection works best for upper elementary-aged children and early middle-schoolers.